Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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686. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is currently a plan in place to develop the research on the impacts to farmland birds regarding the loss of winter stubbles; when such research is due to be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10864/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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687. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be data available on the impacts to farmland birds regarding the loss of winter stubbles, to inform the Interim Review of the Nitrates Action Programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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688. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the event of insufficient evidence on the effects of the loss of winter stubbles on farmland birds at the time of the Interim Review, if the requirement to shallow cultivate is to be withdrawn until such a time as there is data to show that this measure is not adversely impacting farmland birds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10866/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 686 to 688, inclusive, together.

In Ireland's 5^thNitrates Action Programme (NAP) approved on 11^thMarch 2022, a measure was introduced for the shallow cultivation post-harvest of tillage land. Tillage is identified as a pressure source on water. The objective of the measure is to promote germination post-harvest within the soil-seed bank to establish a green cover that will take up residual soil nitrogen.

Following the public consultations on the draft 5^thNAP it was identified that over-winter stubble is a potentially important feed source for seed-eating birds, but that research in Ireland is limited. However, based on best available research, it was considered a percentage of post-harvest stubbles should be maintained uncultivated to support relevant bird species while ensuring adequate mitigation is provided to protect water quality.

Shallow cultivation is to be completed within 14 days of harvesting. This measure is not required in all counties, but limited to Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. This measure has been targeted to ensure its effectiveness is maximized from a water quality perspective, while ensuring the minimum impact on biodiversity. As part of this, a minimum of 20% and a maximum of 25% of cereal land on each holding must not be subject to shallow cultivation post-harvest to preserve food sources for farmland birds.

A commitment has been made in the GAP (Amendment) Regulations (S.I. No. 393 of 2022), to review the effectiveness of the Shallow Cultivation measure in contributing to the protection of relevant bird species, as provided for in the Birds Directive. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) coordinated in collaboration with both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) (both Water Advisory Unit and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)) formally requested Teagasc in October 2022 to develop a research project to undertake specific work on this measure, to support Ireland’s newly adopted Nitrates Action Programme and to assess the impact of this measure on farmland bird species. DAFM, DHLGH and the NPWS are working together and jointly funding this research project which is planned for five years.

My officials working alongside colleagues in DHLGH (who are the lead authority of the NAP), and the NPWS, are in the stages of finalizing the research project and it will be in place for the 2023 season.